Domestic Violence: The Church Responds IIBreaking Out of the Man Box

In this seminar, the keynote message, panel discussion and a workshop will focus on helping men and boys unlearn and heal from toxic masculinity (i.e., socialized attitudes and behaviors that contribute to intimate-partner abuse).*

Keynoter: The Rev. Rickie Houston, a domestic violence specialist and trainer with the organization A CALL TO MEN. He has trained groups across the U.S., including religious groups and professional sports teams, and in West Africa, helping them to engage men in efforts to foster respect for, and end violence against, women. Houston, who trains men, women and boys, believes in a developmental, holistic approach in his ministry that includes the “interaction of spiritual and social consciousness.” He is the pastor of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Wilmington, NC.

A CALL TO MEN educates men all over the world on healthy, respectful manhood. A CALL TO MEN is a violence prevention organization and respected leader on issues of manhood, male socialization and its intersection with violence, and preventing violence against all women and girls.

The half-day seminar will also feature a panel discussion with Houston, Chester County domestic violence prevention and response specialists, and the Rev. David Piltz, a campus minister, pastor and Eastern PA Conference Coordinator of Young People’s Ministries. Piltz is a Marriage and Family Therapist who once trained for and staffed a domestic violence response hotline.

Afternoon workshops

Healing the Community of the Trauma of Domestic Violence

Teaching Respect and Helping Men Prevent Domestic Violence

When Love Hurts: The Dynamics of Domestic Violence

Who should attend this seminar? All men and boys (and the women who love them).

*In psychology, toxic masculinity refers to traditional cultural masculine norms that can be harmful to men, women and society overall; this concept of toxic masculinity is not intended to demonize men or male attributes, but rather to emphasize the harmful effects of conformity to certain traditional masculine ideal behaviors such as dominance, self-reliance, and competition. (Wikipedia)